Shoulder guard



R.C.ENGEL SHOULDER GUARD Filed March so, 1948 wnzwm/e PAY/700W C. 5/7651 Patented May 1, 1951 srsrss "rem orrlcs 3 Claims.

This invention pertains to shoulder guards, and

shoulders of women while wearing brassieres and similar garments.

Among the objects is the provision of a shoulder guard that will protect the shoulder from chafing by conforming thereto.

Another object is to provide a shoulder guard that will not be visible when worn under a sheer garment.

Another object is to provide a shoulder guard which will remain securely in place and hold the garment against sliding relative to the guard.

Another object is to provide a shoulder guard that will accommodate the straps of several garments when worn simultaneously.

Another object being to provide a shoulder guard that can be easily attached or removed from the garment.

Another object is to provide a guard of a plastic which can be immersed in warm water so as to allow forming it to the contour of the shoulder.

Another object being to provide a guard of a yieldable material, such as rubber, which will conform to the shoulder without the necessity of pie-forming.

Further objects and advantages of the lnvention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Brassieres, and slips so-called, are provided with thin, narrow straps of ribbon which support the garment from the shoulder of the wearer.

The wearing of a brassiere is especially uncod fortable ior fleshy women because the narrow straps cut into the flesh of the shoulder owing to the snugness or the brassiere. Ir a slip is also worn the extra pressure caused by the straps attached to the latter garment adds to the discomfort. The present invention is an improvement over similar devices now available and embraces several valuable features believed to be novel.

The guard of the present invention when made of plastic can be transparent, thus tending to make it invisible when sheer garments are worn over them. They can also be made of a plastic that will submit to bending to the desired conformation after being immersed in hot water, thereby assuring the wearer that the guard can be made to fit perfectly and not chafe the skin. This ability of the guard to be changed in contour makes it unnecessary to manufacture several sizes. This is advantageous in that manufacturing costs can be lower and retailing simplified.

In addition to forming the shoulder guard to the approximate contour of the shoulder while in the mold, it may also be molded in a flat condition which will greatly simplify the making of the mold. The guard, after molding in this instance, will be formed to the contour shown in Fig. 3.

The present guard is an improvement over those available, in that it will remain securely in place on the shoulder owing to the clamping action between the guard and the strap. This clamping action is merely enough to hold the strap against slipping but will allow adjustments to be made at will by the wearer.

Should the wearer desire to wear a second garment having straps similar to those of the brassiere, she needs merely to insert the straps of the second garment into the guards with those of the brassiere. Independent adjustments can be made for each garment at will.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a brassiere being worn, the straps of which are fitted with the shoulder guard of this invention; a slip is also shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the guard with the straps inserted;

Fig. 3 is a side view with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a section taken at 4-=l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a View showing a strap being inserted in the guard;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view taken at t6 of Fig. 2 and I Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a guard, embracing a modification.

Referring to Fig. l, the brassire B is supported as usual by straps S, the latter being provided with the guards G of the present invention.

The body portion It may be of a design ornamental as well as utilitarian, but should be so proportioned as to be comfortable; the design shown being preferred. The guard shown in Fig. 2 is molded of plastic and must necessarily conform to a design that takes into consideration the requirements of the molding art respecting parting lines, etc.

The upper surface of the guard, as shown in Fig. 2 is in this instance provided with a recess or channel H extending longitudinally of the body In and of a depth that will accommodate two straps, and of a width to conform to the widest strap used. As before mentioned, it may be desired to wear an additional garment or in other words, two sets of straps. In this event both straps can be inserted into the guard and both garments will be held securely against displacement but be easily adjusted relative to each other. The added strap will not show on the surface of a sheer garment.

The shoulder guard also functions as a means of holding the straps of several garments together, as is often done by the aid of clips.

Recess or channel II extends to a point near each end of the body II], but terminates, in this instance in transverse slots I2. These slots I2 are preferably of a length equal to the width of the recess II, and of a width sufficient to allow the insertion of two conventional straps freely.

A feature of this invention is the provision of apertures I3 opening into slots I2. These apertures I3 are for the purpose of allowing the insertion of straps S by the method shown in Fig. 5 and are now to be described. Apertures I3 should be of a width so as to freely allow the insertion of straps S when doubled as shown at Id of Fig. 5. As doubled strap S is inserted into aperture I3 and then into slot I2 the strap tends to flatten and assume its original shape and conform to slot I2, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. This method is reversed when removing the straps S from the guard G. The point of the intersection I3a of slots I2 and apertures I3 should be substantially free of chamfer to prevent the inadvertent withdrawal of strap S from slot I3.

In order to provide a guard that is comfortable and not liable to chafe the skin, as well as to conform to the contour of the shoulder, the recess or channel I I is continued on the under surface of body I9. This continuation of the recess II extends from slots I2 to the ends I5 of body I0, and are indicated as I6. The continuations I6 are of a Width and depth to correspond to recess or channel II. Therefore, when a strap S has been inserted into a guard G the strap lies wholly beneath the upper and lower surfaces of body I0, and will not destroy the smooth lines of closefitting garments. Ends I5 of body III are curved gradually downwardly as shown in Fig. 5, so as to further insure a smooth contour under sheer garments. All edges of body ID are rounded so as to further avoid irritating the skin of the wearer.

As before mentioned it is also within the spirit of this invention to make the guard of rubber or other yieldable material. Fig. '7 shows the optional modification if the guard is made of such flexible material. In place of the aperture I3 as shown in Figs. 2 to 6, a slit may be cut in ends I5 without the removal of material. This slit is indicated at I! and is normally closed as shown in Fig. '7. The cutting of slits I? leaves ears or lugs I8I8 which can flex relative to each other. This property is taken advantage of so as to allow the insertion of strap S into slot I2. When so inserting strap S into slot I2, it is merely necessary to bend one of the ears or lugs up or 'down relative to the body II], insert the strap S and allow the ear Or lug to snap back to its original position, thus confining the strap in slot I2.

I i claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A shoulder guard for an undergarment strap comprising a longitudinal body, said body curved longitudinally so as to conform to the contour r of the shoulder, the upper surface of Said body being provided with a longitudinal recess proportioned to receive said strap, transverse slots being provided at the extremities of said recess, perpendicular thereto and spaced from the ends of said body to provide downwardly-extending openings for said strap, an aperture provided in said slots to allow insertion of said strap, and longitudinal recesses provided in the under face of said body intermediate the extremities thereof and the said slots to accommodate said strap, and forming a longitudinal continuation of said first-mentioned recess.

2. A shoulder guard for an undergarment strap comprising a longitudinal body, curved longitudinally to conform to the contour of the shoulder, the upper surface of said body being provided with a channel adapted to receive said strap, said channel terminating in transverse slots, the latter passing through said bod and provided with longitudinal apertures extending intermediate said slots and the extremities of said body, said body provided with channels in the lower surface thereof, extending intermediate said slots and the extremities of said body and forming a longitudinal continuation of said channel so as to accommodate said strap.

3. A shoulder guard for an undergarment strap comprising a longitudinal body, the upper surface of said body provided with a longitudinal recess to accommodate said strap and transverse slots being provided at the extremities of said recess and spaced from the ends of said body to accommodate said strap, openings provided in said transverse slots to allow insertion of said strap, and longitudinal recesses provided in the under face of said body intermediate the extremities thereof and the said transverse slots, to accommodate the said strap and forming a longitudinal continuation of said first mentioned recess.

RAYMOND C. ENGEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,546,067 Goldschmidt July 14, 1925 2,012,466 Goldsmith et a1. Aug. 27, 1935 2,285,714 Hirsh June 9, 1942 2,444,806 Cleasby July 6, 1948 

